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Local schools closing at 1 p.m.; after-school activities including county basketball tournament canceled

Times Staff Report

Published: Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 8:47 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 4:45 p.m.

Etowah County, Attalla and Gadsden City schools and Coosa Christian School will dismissed at 1 p.m. today because of the possibility of inclement weather.

Facts

After-school activities, including the Etowah County Basketball Tournament, also are canceled, Dr. Alan Cosby, superintendent of Etowah County Schools, said. The basketball tournament will be delayed by a day and resume play Friday and Saturday.

Albertville, Boaz and Marshall County schools dismissed at 11:30 a.m., Gadsden State Community College at 2 p.m. and Snead State Community College at 3 p.m.

Several inches of snow already were reported in parts of Mississippi and the same front is passing through Alabama.

Cosby said school officials are monitoring the weather conditions and will make a decision early Friday about any delays in starting classes.

Etowah County and much of Northeast Alabama is under a winter storm warning through 7 p.m. tonight, with between 3 inches and 5 inches of snow possible in some areas.

Huselton said the National Weather Service said bands of snow could cause some areas to receive heavy, brief periods of snow, resulting in as much as 5 inches, while other areas could receive only a dusting.

A wind advisory could bring winds sustained at 15 to 25 mph, with some gusts up to 36 mph. Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles. In combination with the winter storm warning, use extra caution if driving.

Any snow that does not melt and dry by late Thursday will be a potential ice threat, as evening temperatures fall to an expected 27 degrees, Huselton said.

Bridges, overpasses and mountainous terrain will be more susceptible to being affected by ice.

<p>Etowah County, Attalla and Gadsden City schools and Coosa Christian School will dismissed at 1 p.m. today because of the possibility of inclement weather.</p><p>After-school activities, including the Etowah County Basketball Tournament, also are canceled, Dr. Alan Cosby, superintendent of Etowah County Schools, said. The basketball tournament will be delayed by a day and resume play Friday and Saturday.</p><p>Albertville, Boaz and Marshall County schools dismissed at 11:30 a.m., <a href="http://www.gadsdentimes.com/section/TOPIC0201/"><b>Gadsden State</b></a> Community College at 2 p.m. and Snead State Community College at 3 p.m.</p><p>Several inches of snow already were reported in parts of Mississippi and the same front is passing through Alabama.</p><p>Cosby said school officials are monitoring the weather conditions and will make a decision early Friday about any delays in starting classes.</p><p>Etowah County and much of Northeast Alabama is under a winter storm warning through 7 p.m. tonight, with between 3 inches and 5 inches of snow possible in some areas.</p><p>Huselton said the National Weather Service said bands of snow could cause some areas to receive heavy, brief periods of snow, resulting in as much as 5 inches, while other areas could receive only a dusting.</p><p>A wind advisory could bring winds sustained at 15 to 25 mph, with some gusts up to 36 mph. Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles. In combination with the winter storm warning, use extra caution if driving.</p><p>Any snow that does not melt and dry by late Thursday will be a potential ice threat, as evening temperatures fall to an expected 27 degrees, Huselton said.</p><p>Bridges, overpasses and mountainous terrain will be more susceptible to being affected by ice.</p>